By Juliet Umeh
Nigerian artists and content creators who are unable to thrive in their vocation areas due to insufficient funding can now breathe a sigh of relief.
As an online video sharing platform, YouTube recently announced that they can now apply for grants from its $ 100 million Black Voices Fund.
Black Voices Fund is the YouTube platform that helps amplify fresh narratives and content that emphasizes the intellectual power, passion, and joy of a community.
YouTube said the $ 100 million global fund, over the next three years, will offer support to black artists and creators so they can thrive on YouTube.
The Black Voices Fund said YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets Managing Director Alex Okosi will invest with the intention of “presenting fresh narratives that emphasize the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of black voices, as well as educate the public on racial justice issues. “
According to the platform, the $ 100 million fund was first announced in June. It has since been officially named the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.
Okosi said that this year, the fund will focus its efforts on creators from the United States, Brazil and Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
He said: “Our goal is to expand funding to more countries over the next three years.
“Additionally, we look forward to providing a steady pace of educational training, workshops and community events for black creators and artists around the world.”
The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund is part of the work currently underway to ensure YouTube is a place where black artists, creators and users can share their stories and be protected.
Okosi adds: “Along with our commitment to amplifying marginalized voices on the content side, we are also investing in product and policy changes that will continue to advance YouTube’s mission to give everyone a voice and show them the world.”
YouTube believes that only by taking a stand against those who would attempt to intimidate, harass, silence and intimidate others, does it really come close to accomplishing this mission.
His new efforts include increasing law enforcement and closing more accounts that repeatedly post hateful comments. It is also in the process of implementing changes to the product to simplify the creator moderation tools.
